Today's Tips

Professional tipster Ben Merritt gives his thoughts on today's racing...

12.55 Doncaster - AL SHABAB STORM 3/1 (NAP)

It's a fairly rare drop down to the minimum trip here for AL SHABAB STORM, but he's running against much more inferior horses than those he's usually up against and with conditions set to be brutal at Doncaster, his stamina should be vital. He won over this trip back in June, off a mark of 98 and beating the likes of Corolla Point, since gone close in a Group 1, and AIR FORCE ONE, who has moped up heritage handicaps since. Following a 2 month layoff for that, he's run three huge races in defeat, on all ground and should be a relatively fresh horse for this time of year. He went close in a much better race than this at York last time out, half a length away in 3rd, and the 2nd franked the form by winning on Friday. The yards horses are flying and Harry Vigors claim could be vital.

2.20 Cheltenham - SEANIECON 100/30 (Next Best)

SEANIECON heads the market in this massive field handicap, and its a race I'd usually look at to find one to beat a fav. However, I think this horse is a graded one, masquerading as a handicapper. Put simply, if he is fit and ready to run, I think he'll demolish this field and although he's short enough already, I wouldn't be shocked if he started at 7/4. I don't know if he is fit, but the yard have a great record at this meeting and had a first time out winner at Carlisle on Thursday too, which is encouraging. He was very unlucky when last seen and, if not this afternoon, he'll leave this handicap mark a long way behind soon.

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